Follower or form for boots or shoes



(No Model.)

G. H. CLARK.

FOLLOWER 08 FORM FOR BOOTS 0R SHOES. No. 394,154. Patented Dec. 11, 1888.

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE H. CLARK, OF CAMPELLO, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE CLARK RE-LASTING AND SHOE TREEING COMPANY, OF PORTLAND, MAINE.

FOL LOWER OR FORM FOR BOOTS OR SHOES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 394,154, dated December 11, 1888. Application filed September 10, 1888- Serial No. 285,088. (No model.)

To all who/7L it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE ll. CLARK, of Campello, county of Plymouth, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Followers or Forms for lloots or Shoes, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawing, is a specitlcation.

In the manufacture of boots or shoes wherein the soles and uppers are united by machinery it has been customary to remove the last from the lasted shoe immediately after lasting, so that the lasted shoe can he imme diately applied to a machine, and as the last is left in the shoe but a few moments the upper does not have a chance to set," as it is called, or adapt itself to the contour of the 5 last. As a result thereof, the boot or shoe, when finished and placed upon the market, shrinks, especially over the ball and instep portions.

Attempts have been made to avoid the injurious effects of the contraction of the shoe at the ball and instep after but a short stretching of the upper by making the upper larger, so as to compensate for the shrinkage; but such a shoe is unsightly and unsalable.

This invention has for its object to construct a follower or form which may be readily forced into the boot or shoe without injury to the lining at any time after the shoe has been lasted and the last withdrawn, this follower or form acting to stretch and fashion the boot or shoe, the follower or form ren'iaining in the shoe until the upper has had time to set to shape.

In accordance with this invention the follower or form is made similar to the toe, instep, and shank portions only of a last, the entire heel portion being omitted. The area of the follower or form in cross-section at the ball or instep portion is as large or larger than the corresponding cross-sectional area of the original last, but the contour of the follower or form is diiierent, being wider and thicker lower or form within it; or the boot or shoe in some parts and narrower and thinner in other parts. It is designed to force the follower or form into the boot or shoe by a machine, and hence the follower or form is provided with a tool-receiving hole extending downwardly into the form at the top adjacent to the instep portion, and, also, I preferably provide the follower or form with another tool-receiving hole at its rear side, although I may omit the latter, if dcsi red.

The drawing shows in side elevation a follower or form embodying this invention, the tool-receiving holes being shown in dotted lines.

The follower or form is shaped similar to an ordinary last, it comprising the toe portion a, instep portion Z), and shank portion 0, the heel portion being omitted.

The area of the follower or form in crosssection taken through the ball or instep portion is as large or larger than the corresponding cross-sectional area of the last upon which the boot or shoe was lasted, but the contour in cross-section is different, so as to stretch the upper and fill the boot or shoe.

The follower or form is provided with a toolreceiving hole, 20, extending downwardly at the top adjacent to the instep portion, and also preferably with a tool-receiving hole, 21, extending inwardly from the rear, as shown by dotted lines, the said holes receiving tools by which the follower or form may be forced into the boot or shoe or be removed therefrom. By the employment of the follower or form as shown the boot or shoe may be stretched and fashioned, so that it insures a good fit and avoids the necessity of what is commonly termed breakin in a new boot or shoe, and by omitting the heel portion the follower or form may be inserted withouttearing or in any way injuring the lining, as is the case should an ordinary last be employed. I have shown the heel portion as removed on a diagonal line, 22, extending from the top downwardly; but I do not desire to limit my invention to the particular direction of this line.

The follower or form may be forced into the boot or shoe at any time after the last has been withdrawn therefrom, so that, if desired, the boot or shoe may be finished with the folnlay be exhibited with the follower or form within it, as in a store-window or as sample.

I claim- 1. The heelless follower or form herein described, it comprising the toe portion a, instep 3. The heelless follower 01' form herein de- 1 scribed, it comprising the toe portion a, instep IO portion 1), and shank portion 0, and having a flat-surfaced rear end cut on a diagonal line inclining toward the heel, and also having the hole 20, substantially as described.

5 In testimony whereof I have signed my name 1 to this specification in the presence of two subscribin Witnesses.

GEO. H. CLARK.

'itnesses:

BERNICE J. NoYEs, A. WIEGAND. 

